§ 61. Mr. Fryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications have been received for the noncontributory married women's invalidity benefit; and how many have been confirmed, and how many refused.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisUp to 28th February 1978 over 56,000 claims had been received. Up to 3rd March 1978 some 36,000 awards had been made. I regret that the number of disallowances is not available. A number of claims are still being processed, but of the total claims received it seems likely that about 38,000 will result in awards. This figure would already put us within 4 to 5 per cent. of the estimates of likely beneficiaries published in paragraph 12 of the Annex to "Social Security Provisions for Chronically Sick and Disabled People" (House of Commons Paper 276 of 1974). We shall, however, be looking for further opportunities to improve take-up.